The South Bend Police Department is accepting applications for its Citizen's Police Academy classes.
The Citizen's Police Academy is nine weeks of Tuesday night classes that allow civilians a peek into what it’s like to be a police officer.
Spokesperson Ken Garcia said they hope the class attracts people from all walks of life.
“Everybody and anyone. Whether they are supporters of a police department or they’re skeptics of a police department we really just hope they will come in with an open mind and just learn what it’s like to be a police officer.”
Garcia said they’ve been doing the academy for a long time and have had good turnout in the past.
The class features hands on simulations of K-9 officers, SWAT, shoot, don’t shoot scenarios and crime scene processing.
The class is open to anyone over 18 without a felony conviction. It is limited to 40 participants. The application deadline is July 25. Classes run August 14 to October 9.
